By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is making progress on a new $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program, targeting September board approval, said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday.
Aamir Ashraf
Imran Khan calls for open trial of ex-spy chief Faiz Hameed
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for an open court trial for retired General Faiz Hameed, detained over a housing scheme scam, amid claims that the former spy chief is being pressured to testify against him.
PTI rally permit cancelled, party says event will go ahead
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad authorities on Wednesday evoked permission for a rally by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, citing security concerns and resource constraints, but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vowed to proceed with the Aug. 22 event.
PTA blames faulty submarine cable for nationwide internet slowdown
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The telecom regulator on Wednesday blamed a faulty submarine cable for the country’s nationwide internet slowdown, dismissing allegations that the installation of a government firewall to monitor internet traffic was behind the slowdown.
Pakistan vows to stem smuggling as economy feels the pinch
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The government has stepped up its anti-smuggling drive, with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif warning that smuggling is harming the economy, as authorities seize billions of rupees worth of contraband.
UPADTE 2-At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims killed in Iran bus accident
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims were killed and 14 others critically injured when their bus crashed and caught fire in the Iranian city of Yazd on Tuesday night, officials and media reported on Wednesday.
Two injured Russian climbers rescued from Gasherbrum IV after three-day ordeal
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities rescued two Russian climbers from Gasherbrum IV, the world’s 17th highest mountain, on Tuesday, after a snow avalanche stranded them at an altitude of 6,400 meters for three days, killing one of their team members.”
Gas tariffs to remain steady for next three months, petroleum minister
By Staff Reporter
Pakistan will keep its gas tariff unchanged for the next three months, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik said on Tuesday, as the government seeks to ease the burden on consumers amid soaring living costs.
Imran Khan urges UK Starmer to speak out on democracy threats
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023, has urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to speak out against the erosion of democracy in Pakistan, where Khan says he is being held in solitary confinement on politically motivated charges.
New tax, old woes
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: In a bid to combat the rampant trade of illicit cigarettes and shore up government revenues, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a controversial new advance tax on acetate tow, a key raw material used in cigarette manufacturing.